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'Ungar P, Teaford M, Kay R, 2004: Molar Microwear and Shearing Crest Development in Miocene Catarrhines. Anthropologie (Brno) 42, 1: 21-35'. |
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| Abstract | | The Miocene epoch witnessed an extensive radiation of ape (non-cercopithecoid catarrhine) taxa. In order to appreciate the extent of this radiation, we need to understand something of the dietary diversity of these forms. In this study, we compare the dental microwear of seventeen ape species ranging in time from the Early to the Middle and Late Miocene and in space from Africa to Europe and Asia. While sample sizes are limited by taphonomic damage, the data suggest that Early Miocene African ape species ranged somewhat in their food preferences, whereas Middle to Late Miocene Eurasian ape diets probably varied more than their African predecessors. Most fossil taxa examined were probably frugivorous, though Rangwapithecus, Micropithecus, and especially Oreopithecus may have consumed more leaves. In contrast, Ouranopithecus, unlike any living hominoid, evidently preferred hard, brittle foods. These interpretations accord well with results from molar shearing crest length analyses of many of these same species. Further, comparisons of adaptive morphology and epigenetic dental microwear data may allow us to begin to separate functional from phylogenetic or temporal effects on tooth shape. | | | | Keywords | | Diet - Apes - Dental morphology - Shearing quotients | | |
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